Textbook:American History: Beginnings to 1914 Pennsylvania Highlights version McDougal Littell,2008 Course Overview:US History I encompasses the major events, concepts, and personalities which played a role in the developing years of our nation’s history from the time of English settlement in America to the late 1900’s, the Age of Industrialization.
Major Unit Topics/ Schedule:
1st Quarter
1.Constitution/ Our Government Todaypages 260-301 2.13 ColoniesChapters 3, 4, 5 2nd Quarter 1.French and Indian WarChapter 5 2.Events leading to the American RevolutionChapter 6 3.American Revolution Chapters 6 and 7 4.Confederation to ConstitutionChapter 8 3rd Quarter 1.The Early RepublicChapters 9, 10, 11 a.Washington, Adams, Jefferson, National Growth 2.A Changing NationChapters 12, 13, 14 a.Jackson, Westward Expansion, Reform Movements 3.The Nation Breaking ApartChapter 15 4th Quarter 1.The Civil WarChapters 16 and 17 2.ReconstructionChapter 18 3.America is TransformedChapters 19 and 20
8th Grade Focus
Reading/ Analyzing Primary Sources
Establishing Past to Present Connections
Analyzing the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Responding to Reading and Writing Prompts
Grading
Every assignment including homework, classwork, tests, quizzes, and projects are
worth a set number of points.
The student’s grade is determined by taking their total points earned divided by the total points possible.
Point value of assignments are normally as follows:
Each quarter will consist of a variety of the above assignments including several quizzes, essays, and at least 2 major unit tests. The total points for each quarter will vary.
Notebooks are checked each quarter to ensure that students’ have ausable toolto use to study for history class.
Absenteeism:
Students are responsible for all missed work when absent.
Students should see me before class, if possible, when they return.
(before school or during homeroom)
If students are absent only on the day of a test or major project deadline, they are
required to take the test or turn in the project the day they return
If a student is absent for an extended period of time, they should arrange to meet with me when they return so we can create deadlines for missed work.
If a student is absent due to a vacation, an appointment, or leaving early for sports, you should see me ahead of time to get your work.
Extra Credit: Extra credit is always available to students. There will be several extra credit options offered each quarter. Students can also develop their own extra credit projects and have them approved such as art work, research projects, historical book reports, movie reviews, etc. Extra credit work must show an extra effort by the student to improve their grade. Points will vary depending on the project and amount of work. Availability: I am always available at the following times for extra help: Before school between 7:20-7:50 Period 3 Days 1, 3, 5 Period 8 Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Activity Period After school (Please arrange in advance) Homework Hotline: Assignments are always listed on homework hotline on our school’s website: Go to http://wilsonsd.org/southernjh Click on homework hotline (left side of screen) Scroll down to Grade 8 Assignments listed under Mr. Shirey
Check homework hotline frequently. In addition to homework, other resources such as teacher notes, graphic organizers, and study guides are posted for you to use.
Movie Use in History
Movies are used in history in order for students to get a better grasp on what life was really like during certain time periods we are studying. Most movies are not shown in their entirety, due to taking away from so much class time. The following is a list of movies that might be shown this year.
The Crossing, Glory, Gettysburg , Roots, Ken Burn’s The Civil War, PBS Liberty Series, History Channel’s The Underground Railroad, The Founding Father’s Series, The Real West Series, A&E American Revolution Series, Unchained Memories, Gods and Generals
American History Course Syllabus 2009-2010
Mr. Shirey---Room 402 610-670-0180 x4478 shidai@wilsonsd.org
Textbook: American History: Beginnings to 1914
Pennsylvania Highlights version
McDougal Littell, 2008
Course Overview: US History I encompasses the major events, concepts, and
personalities which played a role in the developing years of our
nation’s history from the time of English settlement in America
to the late 1900’s, the Age of Industrialization.
Major Unit Topics/ Schedule:
1st Quarter
1. Constitution/ Our Government Today pages 260-3012. 13 Colonies Chapters 3, 4, 5
2nd Quarter
1. French and Indian War Chapter 5
2. Events leading to the American Revolution Chapter 6
3. American Revolution Chapters 6 and 7
4. Confederation to Constitution Chapter 8
3rd Quarter
1. The Early Republic Chapters 9, 10, 11
a. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, National Growth
2. A Changing Nation Chapters 12, 13, 14
a. Jackson, Westward Expansion, Reform Movements
3. The Nation Breaking Apart Chapter 15
4th Quarter
1. The Civil War Chapters 16 and 17
2. Reconstruction Chapter 18
3. America is Transformed Chapters 19 and 20
8th Grade Focus
Grading
- Every assignment including homework, classwork, tests, quizzes, and projects are
worth a set number of points.Each quarter will consist of a variety of the above assignments including several quizzes, essays, and at least 2 major unit tests. The total points for each quarter will vary.
Notebooks are checked each quarter to ensure that students’ have a usable tool to use to study for history class.
Absenteeism:
- Students are responsible for all missed work when absent.
- Students should see me before class, if possible, when they return.
(before school or during homeroom)- If students are absent only on the day of a test or major project deadline, they are
required to take the test or turn in the project the day they returnExtra Credit:
Extra credit is always available to students. There will be several extra credit options offered each quarter. Students can also develop their own extra credit projects and have them approved such as art work, research projects, historical book reports, movie reviews, etc. Extra credit work must show an extra effort by the student to improve their grade. Points will vary depending on the project and amount of work.
Availability:
I am always available at the following times for extra help:
Before school between 7:20-7:50
Period 3 Days 1, 3, 5
Period 8 Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Activity Period
After school (Please arrange in advance)
Homework Hotline:
Assignments are always listed on homework hotline on our school’s website:
Go to http://wilsonsd.org/southernjh
Click on homework hotline (left side of screen)
Scroll down to Grade 8
Assignments listed under Mr. Shirey
Check homework hotline frequently. In addition to homework, other resources such as teacher notes, graphic organizers, and study guides are posted for you to use.
Movie Use in History
Movies are used in history in order for students to get a better grasp on what life was really like during certain time periods we are studying. Most movies are not shown in their entirety, due to taking away from so much class time. The following is a list of movies that might be shown this year.The Crossing, Glory, Gettysburg , Roots, Ken Burn’s The Civil War, PBS Liberty Series, History Channel’s The Underground Railroad, The Founding Father’s Series, The Real West Series, A&E American Revolution Series, Unchained Memories, Gods and Generals